The Collingwood juggernaut continued unchecked on Friday night, when the Magpies won their 8th game on the trot. The Magpies were untroubled all evening as they dominated Essendon to win by 98 points at the MCG.With Collingwood in such imposing form, and Essendon languishing in the lower reaches of the ladder, the Magpies were the hottest of favourites. But the Bombers competed hard early, kicking the first two goals of the game and still holding the lead at the 14-minute mark. But then the Magpies clicked into gear and with the last six goals of the quarter got to a 32-point lead at the first change.It was one-way traffic. With six goals to two in the second term, the lead extended to 59 points at the long break. Another run of six goals to two in the third term put the issue beyond doubt, and although the game was well and truly over at three-quarter time the Magpies won the final quarter to get the margin just short of the magical 3 figures. The eventual margin of 98 points was the Magpies’ second biggest winning margin ever against the Bombers.Travis Cloke was a ball magnet all night, finishing with five goals from his 28 possessions, while the midfield duo of Scott Pendlebury and Dane Swan were again irrepressible all night. It was a display of complete Collingwood control, the Magpies now all but guaranteeing themselves the minor premiership for 2011.Collingwood 8.2 14.5 20.11 24.18 (162)Essendon 3.0 5.0 7.2 10.4 (64)Goals : Collingwood – T Cloke 5, L Brown 3, B Macaffer 3, C Dawes 2, A Didak 2, D Jolly 2, D Swan 2, J Blair 2, D Beams, D Thomas. Essendon - Monfries 2, Carlisle, Colyer, Dempsey, Hille, Melksham, Neagle, Ryder.Best : Collingwood – T Cloke, S Pendlebury, D Swan, J Blair, B Macaffer, C Dawes. Essendon – P Ryder, B Stanton, J Watson, S Longeran, D Hille, B Howlett.Injuries : Collingwood – Nil. Essendon – D Zaharakis (knee).Reports – Nil. Umpires - Donlon, Kennedy, Ryan.Crowd - 59,277 at MCG.

Carlton have booked themselves a finals berth for the second season in a row when the Blues completed an 89-point demolition of Richmond at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.As dominant as Carlton’s first half was, they could have won by even more. Some poor finishing in the first quarter saw the Blues go to quarter time on 3.7, with several of those behinds being set shots that could have been converted. The Blues led by 11 points at the first change, but it was the second quarter that would turn the game into one-way traffic. The Blues banged on 7.5 to one point for the quarter, making the Tigers look second-rate as they dominated all aspects of the game.At half time the margin was 57 points. The Tigers finally tried to lift at the start of the third quarter, kicking the first four goals. But the Tiger mini-revival was short-lived, and although the Tigers would win the quarter, it wasn’t by enough to get back into the contest. And the final quarter was a Carlton exhibition, the Blues kicking 8.1 for the quarter and the margin briefly nudged the three-figure mark before Richmond kicked the last two goals of the game.

Sydney booked themselves a place in this year’s finals, while delivering a blow to Fremantle’s top-4 chances, when the Swans completed a thrilling 9-point win over the Dockers at Subiaco Oval on Saturday afternoon.The Swans hadn’t beaten Fremantle at Subiaco since 1998, but the result was in the balance all afternoon, in a game that featured multiple lead changes and momentum swings. The Swans were inaccurate early, with five behinds before they finally broke through for their first goal, which helped Fremantle to establish a 3-point lead at the first change. But the Swans steadied in the second term, to lead by two points at the long break.It was goal for goal, exciting and open football. Nine goals were kicked in the third quarter, every one of them resulting in a lead change. The crowd of 34,087 became increasingly vocal as the afternoon drew on, enthralled in the roller-coaster natre of proceedings. At the last change, the Dockers held a 3-point lead.The Dockers were first to score in the last quarter, raising hopes that the home side may run away with the contest. But instead it was the Swans who rallied to regain the lead. More lead changes would follow before the Swans kicked the final two goals of the game to take the game by nine points.Daniel Hannebery was in sensational touch for the Swans, finishing with 38 possessions, while Shane Mumford had the better of Aaron Sandilands in the ruck and Kieran Jack was also prominent around the ground. Greg Broughton was a tower of strength in the backline for the Dockers, taking a stack of marks to repel Swans’ advances, while Matthew Pavlich and Kepler Bradley also played key roles for the Dockers. But after an afternoon of changing fortunes, it would be the Swans who would reap the rewards. The Swans have ensured their participation in this year’s finals, and remain in the hunt for a home final. But the Dockers are at serious risk of falling further behind the top 4, and appear set to be in sudden-death finals action, maybe a re-match against the Swans.Sydney 2.5 5.8 9.9 14.12 (96)Fremantle 3.2 5.6 10.6 13.9 (87)Goals : Sydney – B McGlynn 3, T Dennis-Lane 2, S Mumford, J Moore, P Bevan, K Jack, M Pyke, M Mattner, L Jetta, J White, R O'Keefe. Fremantle – M Walters 2, P Hasleby 2, K Bradley 2, M Johnson, M de Boer, A McPhee, A Morabito, G Broughton, B Schammer, N Suban.Best : Sydney – D Hannebery, S Mumford, K Jack, J McVeigh, T Kennelly, B McGlynn. Fremantle – G Broughton, M Pavlich, K Bradley, D Mundy, P Duffield, D Roberton.Injuries : Sydney – B McGlynn (fractured cheekbone), J Moore (concussion). Fremantle –Nil.Reports : Fremantle - Z Clarke for engaging in rough conduct on B McGlynn in the third quarter.Umpires - Vozzo, McBurney, Nicholls.Crowd - 34,087 at Subiaco Oval.

Geelong ended the Western Bulldogs’ 5-game winning streak, the Cats returning to the winning list in style with a comprehensive 101-point victory at Docklands on Saturday night.There was little indication in the first quarter of the drubbing that was to come. The first term was evenly contested, goal for goal, with the Cats leading by six points at the first change. But the second term was one-way traffic. The Bulldogs, weakened by a virus that had been spreading around the club during the week before the game, were flat and lethargic as if even contesting the first quarter had sapped all their strength. The Cats took full advantage, their famed midfield running rampant as they kicked ten unanswered goals to lead by 69 points at the long break.As if stunned by that quarter, the Bulldogs tried to lift in the third term, but could only hold the line without making any inroads into the deficit. And the Bulldogs’ defence again crumbled in the last quarter, as the Cats again took full toll with an eight goal haul that extended the final margin beyond 100 points.Gary Ablett was at his unstoppable best, with 39 possessions and three goals in a best on ground performance. The Bulldogs were powerless to stop his relentless drive through the midfield and forays into attack. The Bulldogs also had no answers to Joel Selwood, who accumulated 35 touches, and to Corey Enright with 33. Up forward, Steve Johnson presented himself as an effective target with five goals.Geelong 4.1 14.4 17.6 25.11 (161)Western Bulldogs 3.1 3.2 6.3 9.6 (60)Goals : Geelong – S Johnson 5, J Podsiadly 3, G Ablett 3, T Varcoe 3, S Byrnes 2, J Selwood 2, P Chapman 2, C Mooney 2, M Stokes, D Menzel, B Ottens. Bulldogs – D Giansiracusa 3, B Hall 2, L Jones 2, L Gilbee, R Griffen.Best : Geelong – G Ablett, J Selwood, C Enright, S Johnson, J Bartel, P Chapman. Bulldogs – D Giansiracusa, M Boyd, D Cross, R Griffen, R Murphy, R Hargrave.Injuries : Geelong – T Lonergan (flu) replaced in selected side by J Laidler. Bulldogs – E Wood (hamstring), T Williams (shoulder/neck), S Higgins (calf).Reports – Nil. Umpires - Margetts, Stevic, Chamberlain.Crowd - 42,199 at Docklands.

Just 14,113 people, the smallest ever crowd for an AFL match at AAMI Stadium, saw Port Adelaide hold on to beat West Coast by a point in a Saturday night thriller. It wasn’t a game that reached any great heights, played in windy and slippery conditions between two struggling teams; but the closeness of the scores kept the interest high until the end.Winning the toss and kicking with the wind in the first quarter, the Power created plenty of chances but were unable to capitalise, and led by 13 points at the first change when the lead possibly could have been significantly greater. But the Power did manage to get a goal into the wind in the second quarter, to maintain a 6-point lead at the long break.The first half had been an exhibition of poor football, but the Power sprung to life in the third term, with a run of four goals opening up a 17-point lead at the last change. But the Eagles were coming home with the wind in the final quarter, and came back hard to keep the result in doubt.The Power kicked the first goal of the final term into the wind, and were leading by 24 points. But the Eagles came storming home in the final minutes, with the last four goals of the game levelling the scores at the 23 minute mark. Five agonising scoreless minutes would follow, before Mark LeCras gathered the ball on the 50 metre line and had a quick snap towards goal. Any score would have given the Eagles the lead for the first time, but LeCras was unable to register a goal and the Power cleared the ball out of danger.Moving it forward, the Power found David Rodan who scrambled to post a behind. The siren sounded shortly afterwards, giving the Power a hard-fought one-point win. For much of the night it was a scrappy contest, laden with skill errors and some appalling clangers from both sides. But the desperation and closeness of the scores kept the fans on the edge of their seats. The final result, Port by a point, would send the long-suffering Port faithful into delirious scenes of happiness; but would condemn West Coast to the first wooden spoon in the Eagles’ proud history.Port Adelaide 2.5 3.6 7.9 8.13 (61)West Coast 0.4 2.6 4.10 8.12 (60)Goals : Port Adelaide – C Hitchcock 2, B Ebert 2, J Davenport, R Gray, J Westhoff, J Schulz. West Coast – A Strijk 3, C Wilson, A Selwood, J Kennedy, M Rosa, L Shuey.Best : Port Adelaide – D Cassisi, M Thomas, T Boak, K Cornes, J Trengove, J Westhoff. West Coast – D Cox, M Rosa, A Strijk, S Selwood, M LeCras, B Ebert.Injuries : Port Adelaide – Nil. West Coast - A Selwood (shoulder), B Sheppard (shoulder).Reports : West Coast - K Stevens reported for rough conduct on D Meyer in the second quarter.Umpires - Grun, Dalgleish, Avon.Crowd - 14,113 at AAMI Stadium.

Brisbane’s season of heartbreak and frustration took another turn for the worse when the Lions suffered a narrow seven-point home defeat to Adelaide on Sunday afternoon.A game of swinging fortunes saw the Lions have the better of the early exchanges, leading by 15 points at quarter time, and extending the lead to 23 points early in the second quarter. But the Lions would let themselves down with some inaccurate finishing during the first half, and despite having had five more scoring shots than the Crows were behind by 11 points at half time. The Crows had taken control during the second quarter, with a run of seven goals in a row to snatch the lead.The Crows continued their form early in the third term, at one stage leading by 22 points. But the pendulum then swung again, this time favouring the home side as they made their way back into the contest, kicking the last four goals of the third term to level the scores at three quarter time.The Crows were down to two on the bench, with Bernie Vince and Chris Knights off with season-ending injuries. But Kurt Tippett was still there, and even as the runners grew tired in the final term, the tall Adelaide forward was still able to pull off some marks. His fifth goal restored the lead for Adelaide, but when Mitchell Clark marked and kicked his fifth, scores were again level. The Crows pulled the ball forward and managed a point, and in the final minutes of the game, Nathan Van Berlo threaded home a tricky goal from the pocket to wrap up victory for the Crows. For the South Australian side, their three-game losing streak was over. But it was another chapter of disappointment for Brisbane, a season that had promised so much once again delivering so little.Adelaide 2.4 9.5 13.8 15.14 (104)Brisbane 4.7 6.12 12.14 13.19 (97)Goals : Adelaide – K Tippett 5, J Porplyzia 3, L Douglas 2, R Henderson 2, P Davis, N van Berlo, J Sellar. Brisbane – M Clark 5, T Banfield, S Black, P Hanley, R Harwood, J Patfull, J Polkinghorne, L Power, B Staker.Best : Adelaide – R Douglas, K Tippett, N Van Berlo, G Johncock, J Porplyzia, B Symes. Brisbane – T Rockliff, M Clark, B Staker, L Power, S Black, M Rischitelli.Injuries : Adelaide – B Vince (knee), C Knights (hamstring). Brisbane – Nil.Reports – Nil. Umpires - Farmer, Ryan, Jennings.Crowd - 25,403 at Gabba.

Hawthorn put their woes of the last fortnight behind them, the Hawks snapping their two game losing streak when they defeated Melbourne by 21 points in a physical encounter at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.The first three quarters of the game were an arm wrestle, with multiple lead changes as the momentum swung from one team to the other. The Demons led by 12 points during the first quarter, but the Hawks fought back to tie the scores up at quarter time.Eight goals were scored in the second term, four goals apiece, and every one of them resulted in a lead change. The evenly-contested match was keeping everyone guessing. Also keeping everyone guessing was the weather, changing from dark clouds and rain to blue skies and sunshine, and back again, several times throughout the day.The game continued to twist and turn in the third term, but late in the quarter the Hawks finally managed to put consecutive goals together, after Lance Franklin curled a magnificent effort from the boundary, to give Hawthorn a 10-point lead at three quarter time.The game had been an arm wrestle, but the tenacious Demons could go so far and no further. The closing stages of the game saw the Hawks lock the Demons out of the contest, and although the Hawks were only able to manage three goals for the quarter, the Demons were held to one and victory was assured. The result ends the Hawthorn losing streak, maintaining their position in the top eight. But although this season has been a considerable improvement on last year for Melbourne, their slim finals hopes are all but over.Hawthorn 4.1 8.4 12.7 15.9 (99)Melbourne 4.1 8.1 11.3 12.6 (78)Goals : Hawthorn – L Franklin 3, X Ellis 3, C Peterson 2, J Roughead 2, L Hodge 2, C Brown, R Hooper, S Burgoyne. Melbourne – L Jurrah 2, M Jamar 2, B Green 2, L Dunn, J Trengove, C Sylvia, A Wonaeamirri, C Bruce, J Watts.Best : Hawthorn – S Burgoyne, L Franklin, B Sewell, X Ellis, G Birchall, L Hodge. Melbourne – C Bruce, C Sylvia, J McKenzie, J McDonald, T Scully, M Jamar.Injuries : Hawthorn – L Hodge (nose). Melbourne – A Davey (ankle), L Jurrah (finger).Reports – Nil. Umpires - Rosebury, Findlay, McInerney.Crowd - 48,211 at MCG.

St Kilda ensured themselves the double chance for this year’s finals, and all but ended North Melbourne’s chances, when the Saints defeated the Kangaroos by 52 points at Docklands on Sunday evening.North Melbourne started brightly enough, and led by seven points at the first change. But the Saints took control of proceedings in the second quarter, with a run of seven goals to one to get to a 29 point lead at the long break. And after an evenly-contested third quarter, it was again a one-sided display in the final quarter as the Saints assumed complete control.The game was the Nick Riewoldt Show, the Saints forward putting on a display of individual brilliance that was pivotal to the outcome of the match. Riewoldt kicked seven goals, wrong-footing the Kangaroo defenders. Around the ground, Brendon Goddard was unstoppable with 37 possessions, while Jason Gram picked up 34. For the Kangaroos, Lachy Hanson kicked four goals, while Brady Rawling accumulated 31 touches.The result sees the Saints now guaranteed a spot in the top four, with a double-chance for the finals. But for the Kangaroos, with just two weeks to go, they find themselves six points outside the top eight, and will need to win their final two games and depend on Hawthorn dropping their last two to make the finals.St Kilda 2.2 9.4 13.7 17.13 (115)North Melbourne 3.3 4.5 8.7 9.9 (63)Goals : St Kilda – N Riewoldt 7, S Milne 2, R Eddy 2, J Koschitzke 2, L Hayes, B Peake, A Schneider, R Stanley. North Melbourne – L Hansen 4, S Wright 3, A Edwards 2.Best : St Kilda – N Riewoldt, J Gram, B Goddard, A Schneider, L Hayes, S Gilbert. North Melbourne – L Hansen, B Rawlings, D Wells, N Grima, H McIntosh, S Wright.Injuries : St Kilda – Nil. North Melbourne – Nil.Reports : St Kilda - J Gram for high contact on C Garlett in the first quarter.Umpires - McLaren, Hay, Meredith.Crowd - 23,118 at Docklands.